The 86th Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) meeting was held in Ergneti, on 15 May 2018. The meeting was conducted in a business-like atmosphere.

Erik Høeg, Head of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM), and Ambassador Günther Bächler, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus, co-facilitated the meeting.

Mr. Høeg provided a brief overview of events that occurred since the last IPRM meeting on 1 March 2018. The security situation along the Administrative Boundary Line was assessed as relatively calm and stable.

The case of the tragic death of Mr. Tatunashvili was discussed at length. The co-facilitators insisted on a thorough and transparent investigation, and called for a cooperative approach on all aspects of the case. The co-facilitators reaffirmed their readiness to support ongoing investigation and to facilitate exchange of information. A technical meeting of experts was also proposed. The case of Mr. Basharuli was also discussed.

The issue of borderisation was discussed by participants. The dismantling of vacant houses in South Ossetia and access to agricultural land, on both sides of the Administrative Boundary Line, was also addressed. Water supply issues were also addressed during the meeting. The co-facilitators encouraged dialogue to find mutually acceptable solutions for those farming in the vicinity of the Administrative Boundary Line and called for a humanitarian approach.

The co-facilitators stressed the need for the EUMM to be allowed to conduct its monitoring activities unhindered, in line with its mandate.

All participants reiterated their willingness to exchange information addressing any security concerns in the vicinity of the Administrative Boundary Line in a timely manner and commended the effective use of the Hotline.

The next IPRM meeting will take place in June 2018.

Erik Høeg, Head of EU Monitoring Mission (left) and Gabriel von Horn, Head of EUMM Operations Department, (right) arrive at the IPRM meeting in Ergneti

Head of Mission Erik Høeg talks to IPRM meeting participants

South Ossetian leading participant Murat Jioev (left) and Georgian leading participant Irakli Antadze (right) greet each other

Erik Høeg, Head of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM), and Ambassador Günther Bächler, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus review the topics of discussion